There are countless reasons why having a dog is the best thing you can do for yourself, from just the joy of it to the proven medical benefits of lower blood pressure and stress relief. But a large number of dog owners today get dogs for all the wrong reasons and without weighing the pros and cons. To those of us who have grown up with dogs and love them dearly, one of the worst crimes is to see people not ready for a dog bring one home.
In today’s constantly on-the-move world, cases of pets being abandoned or ill-treated by their families are on a steep rise. Partly, perhaps, due to the change in lifestyle in the cities and partly also because in some circles owning a ‘pure bred’ dog has become part of keeping up with the Joneses. As a result, people with no idea of what they are getting themselves into, end up getting a dog and then being swamped by the immense responsibilities that follow.
Things to consider before getting a dog
There are some basic factors that most prospective ‘pet parents’ fail to take into account when they choose a dog. Just that little bit of information that could stop the animal shelters being overburdened with abandoned dogs. To begin with, how much time do you have to dedicate to a pet? Contrary to popular belief, dogs are not like toys that can be fed and watered and put away when not in use. They are living creatures with minds of their own and pretty much the same needs as any child. An adorable little puppy will seem that much less adorable when it begins to chew on furniture and rugs when it is teething or just plain bored.
Dogs take time – time to tend to, train, exercise, play and maintain. For those who pick an indoor dog, there is the painstaking and sometimes frustrating job of toilet training and making sure the dog gets out when it needs to. There are vaccinations to keep track of and veterinarian’s visits that are unavoidable, all of which need to be scheduled into our days. Training takes a chunk out of our time and is crucial – there is nothing worse than a dog who thinks it is in charge. Apart from being annoying, it can also be dangerous to have a dog that is not at least in control, if not well trained.
Choosing the right dog
Next on the list of what to think of before getting a dog is choosing the right dog. It may seem really nice to have a big, beautiful Siberian Husky but few people realise that all dogs are not the same. The Husky for instance is not particularly known for his patience and doesn’t do well with children. Huskies are also working dogs and can get cranky and destructive if they don’t have enough to occupy them. Put these together with a family with small children, living in a flat, and it is a recipe for disaster. Picking the right dog takes some research, advice from professionals, and a lot of thought.
Change in lifestyle
Having a dog is like having a baby, only in time the baby grows up and learns to feed himself/herself. Dogs are completely dependent on their owners for their food and care. Working professionals with hectic social lives need to remember that they’ll have to adapt to having a dog and not the other way around. If it means that they have to delay going out for an evening by an hour to make sure the dog is fed, then they need to do just that. In many cases, people only understand this after they bring their new dog home. You can’t make spontaneous trips anymore, forget that weekend getaway or overnight trip unless you have somewhere to leave the dog safely or can take it with you.
Money issues
Small puppies grow into big dogs and big dogs eat big. Toys, vet visits, treats, bedding, and leashes – all add up over time. So those who think they can just throw the dog table scraps should think twice.
Dogs are wonderful creatures; they give without stinting, whether it is love, loyalty or joy. To know a dog and be his friend is the most rewarding experience you could ever have. Their love is unconditional, their forgiveness complete and their faith and trust in you unparalleled. If you believe that you have it in you to take on the responsibility for another life, a warm furry one, that will change yours forever, go right ahead. Bring home your best friend. But remember these words and strive to live by them;
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Unknown
Editor's note: Most articles submitted to Chillibreeze go through a selection process. Only 30 percent of submitted articles are accepted for publication on the Chillibreeze.com featured article list. All accepted articles are edited and proofread for glaring errors of punctuation and grammar. Sentence structure is changed in certain cases and sometimes, entire sections are rewritten. If you notice any errors that have slipped through the cracks, do let us know! (Email us at info at chillibreeze dot com).
Chillibreeze's disclaimer: This is a contributed article and was published on Chillibreeze in April, 2011. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. The relevance of the facts and figures cited (if any) could change after a period of time.
Out of 5 “chilies”, our editorial team gave this article...
—About our writer:
An Instructional Designer and training specialist by profession, Kamini Nanda has worked for companies like Sitel and Microsoft. She has tried her hand at all kinds of expression – web content, features, interviews, fiction and even poetry. After eight years in the corporate world and four spent travelling Europe and Africa on work, Kamini decided to follow her heart and started her own business, making gourmet pet treats in Bangalore. She continues to write freelance whenever she is not baking up goodies for her dogs.
>> Read more articles written by Chillibreeze writers:
Chillibreeze offers Indian writers the opportunity to work on customer projects. We are also India’s biggest writer network and a one-stop shop for Indian writers and editors. The writers’ section on Chillibreeze offers freelance writers and editors a variety of tools to advance their careers. Resources for writers include:
